TLDR
- No new federal stimulus checks have been approved by Congress, and the IRS has not confirmed any December 2025 payments.
- The last official stimulus payments were $1,400 Recovery Rebate Credits issued between December 2024 and January 2025, with the final filing deadline of April 15, 2025 now passed.
- President Trump proposed a $2,000 tariff dividend during a December 2 cabinet meeting, claiming tariff revenue would fund dividend-style refund checks.
- The American Worker Rebate Act of 2025 proposes payments of at least $600 per adult and $600 per dependent, but the bill has not passed Congress.
- Budget experts and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed skepticism about the tariff dividend plan, with Bessent suggesting it might take the form of tax cuts instead of direct checks.
Americans searching for information about stimulus payments in December 2025 will find no new checks coming their way. Congress has not approved any new payments, and the IRS has not confirmed any deposits or checks in the coming weeks.
The confusion stems from past programs and new proposals circulating online. The last official federal stimulus payments were tied to the Recovery Rebate Credit and issued between December 2024 and January 2025.
Past Stimulus Program Now Closed
Those final checks were worth up to $1,400 per eligible taxpayer. They were only sent to people who did not claim the credit on their 2021 tax return.
No applications were required, and recipients were notified by mail. The program is now fully closed, with the final filing deadline of April 15, 2025 having passed.
The IRS announced these automatic payments in 2024 for eligible taxpayers. The maximum payment was $1,400 per person.
Recipients received the money by direct deposit or check. No action was required to receive the payments.
Trump’s Tariff Dividend Proposal
During a cabinet meeting on December 2, President Trump discussed a new type of payment. He said the U.S. is collecting trillions of dollars from tariffs.
Trump stated this money would be returned to citizens as dividend-style refund checks. He called next year the largest tax refund season ever.
The president said dividends would go to people while also reducing debt. He first mentioned the tariff dividend idea in November on Truth Social.
Trump posted that tariffs are generating enough revenue for a dividend of at least $2,000 per person. He noted high-income people would not be included.
Budget experts dismissed the proposal quickly. Erica York from the Tax Foundation told the Associated Press that the numbers do not check out.
Treasury Secretary Expresses Doubt
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared caught off guard by the announcement. Speaking on ABC’s This Week in November, he said he had not discussed the dividend with Trump.
Bessent suggested it might not mean direct checks from the government. Instead, he said the rebate could take the form of tax cuts.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the administration is committed to sending checks. She said the checks would go to middle and low-income people.
Bessent indicated that would include individuals or families making $100,000 or less. More details emerged about the plan, but questions remain about whether it will happen.
Legislative Proposal Pending
A related bill called the American Worker Rebate Act of 2025 has been introduced in Congress. If approved, the proposal could give at least $600 per eligible adult.
It would provide an additional $600 per dependent child. A family of four could receive up to $2,400 with income-based phase-outs.
Supporters argue that tariff revenue could fund the payments. Critics say the cost would exceed projected tariff income.
The bill has not been passed or reached final approval in Congress. No payment schedule exists for this proposal.
No Official Timeline Exists
Without Congressional approval, the IRS cannot schedule deposits or mail checks. There is no official direct deposit payment, confirmed amount, or enrollment requirement.
Some public comments suggested potential payments in mid-2026. That timeline depends entirely on legislation that has not moved forward.
Earlier stimulus payments were tied to emergency federal legislation. Without a new law, there is no authority to issue federal money.
Scam Warnings Issued
The IRS is warning taxpayers about fake stimulus payment messages. Scammers are using claims of December payments to steal personal information.
The IRS never makes contact through email, texts, or social media. Official communication begins with a letter or notice.
Messages saying “Claim your December stimulus now” or “Register for IRS urgent deposit” are fraud. The IRS does not ask for login details or bank verification by text or email.
Any viral posts claiming new payments are misleading. The IRS has not announced a new stimulus check, deposit schedule, or letter campaign.
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